The underwater photography realm witnessed a significant advancement with the introduction of Nauticam's sophisticated housing system designed specifically for Sony's RX-100 Mark II. This remarkable underwater enclosure represents the pinnacle of engineering excellence, combining robust construction with intuitive functionality to deliver an unparalleled aquatic imaging experience.
Sony's RX-100 Mark II has established itself as the quintessential compact camera for underwater photography enthusiasts, seamlessly continuing the legacy of its predecessor while introducing groundbreaking enhancements. The anticipation surrounding Nauticam's housing announcement was palpable within the underwater photography community, and the delivered product exemplifies the exceptional quality standards that photographers have come to expect from this renowned manufacturer.
Exceptional Features of Sony's RX-100 Mark II Camera System
The Sony RX-100 Mark II is a remarkable camera that takes the brilliance of its predecessor, the original RX-100, and pushes the boundaries of innovation even further. A true gem in the world of compact digital cameras, it is designed for those who seek high-quality imaging in a portable format, and it excels particularly in demanding environments like underwater photography. The RX-100 Mark II maintains its hallmark features while incorporating cutting-edge advancements that make it a versatile tool for both amateur and professional photographers alike.
Enhanced Image Quality with a One-Inch CMOS Sensor
One of the most notable features of the RX-100 Mark II is its 20.2-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor, a significant improvement over the original. The one-inch sensor is particularly advantageous for underwater photography, where light conditions can be unpredictable. This sensor allows the camera to capture stunning details with remarkable clarity and color accuracy, even in low-light situations that often challenge traditional cameras. Whether you're capturing vibrant coral reefs or the subtle hues of an underwater creature, the RX-100 Mark II ensures that every detail is reproduced faithfully.
The larger sensor size compared to typical compact cameras means better image quality, especially in challenging conditions. When diving to depths where light diminishes rapidly, the sensor allows the camera to capture images that are both sharp and vibrant. It also results in less noise in low-light settings, providing more flexibility for divers who wish to shoot in dimmer environments, such as caves or deeper waters.
Unmatched Stabilization for Clear Underwater Shots
Underwater photography often involves constant movement, whether from the current, the diver’s own motion, or external factors. The RX-100 Mark II incorporates Sony's Optical SteadyShot image stabilization technology, which significantly reduces the blurring caused by shake or slight camera movements during underwater sessions. This becomes particularly valuable when using the camera in challenging underwater environments, where stability is hard to maintain.
Optical SteadyShot ensures that even without the use of a tripod or other stabilizing equipment, your underwater photos and videos will remain crisp. This stabilization works seamlessly during both still photography and video recording, enabling smoother, more stable footage, even when capturing fast-moving subjects or shooting handheld in rough conditions.
Expandable ISO Range for Low-Light Flexibility
Underwater photographers frequently face the challenge of capturing crisp, clear images in low-light conditions, especially as the depth increases. The RX-100 Mark II offers a broad ISO range from 100 to 25,600, providing a tremendous amount of flexibility when shooting in varying lighting conditions. This enhanced ISO capability ensures that your underwater shots remain clean, even when shooting in the murkier depths or during low-visibility conditions that often occur underwater.
The extended ISO sensitivity range is a critical feature for those shooting in underwater environments, where natural light fades quickly as you descend. By allowing higher ISO settings, the RX-100 Mark II compensates for the lack of light, resulting in clearer and brighter images that retain detail and minimize grain. Whether you’re capturing the intricate textures of underwater flora or the delicate movements of marine life, this wide ISO range offers the adaptability needed for exceptional results.
Fast Continuous Shooting and Advanced Autofocus
When it comes to capturing dynamic underwater scenes, such as fish darting between coral reefs or divers swimming with marine life, speed is essential. The RX-100 Mark II’s impressive ten frames-per-second continuous shooting speed allows you to capture fast-moving subjects with precision. This feature is invaluable in underwater photography, where timing is critical and moments can pass by in the blink of an eye.
Additionally, the camera boasts a 25-point autofocus system, which ensures fast and accurate subject tracking even in dynamic environments. This sophisticated autofocus system can lock onto subjects with remarkable precision, making it easier to capture moving animals or swiftly changing underwater scenes. The system is responsive enough to track both slow and fast-moving objects, making it ideal for various underwater conditions, from still shots of marine life to action-packed moments in the deep sea.
Advanced 1080p 60p Video Recording for Cinematic Quality
The RX-100 Mark II isn't just a still camera—it's a versatile tool for video as well. With built-in 1080p 60p video recording, this camera provides the ability to capture smooth, high-definition footage at up to 60 frames per second. This makes it an excellent choice for underwater videographers who want to produce cinematic video content that highlights the fluid movements of marine life or the beauty of underwater landscapes.
The ability to record in 1080p at 60p ensures that your underwater videos are smooth and free from motion blur, even when capturing fast-moving subjects like dolphins or sharks. For those who want even more creative control, the camera also features a 24p recording mode, which provides a film-like quality that is perfect for professional videography. The combination of 60p and 24p modes makes the RX-100 Mark II a powerful video tool for both enthusiasts and professionals who require flexibility in their underwater filmmaking.
Versatile Lens System for Underwater Photography
One of the most remarkable features of the RX-100 Mark II is its Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens. Offering a focal range equivalent to 28mm-100mm, this lens provides both wide-angle and telephoto capabilities in a single, compact unit. For underwater photographers, this versatility eliminates the need to carry multiple lenses, which can be cumbersome and impractical, especially in diving conditions.
The wide-angle capability allows for stunning shots of expansive underwater environments, such as wide reef vistas or schools of fish, while the telephoto zoom lets photographers capture distant subjects, such as marine life that is farther away from the camera. The Carl Zeiss lens ensures excellent optical performance, delivering sharp, clear images across the entire zoom range. This is crucial for underwater photography, where distortion or poor image quality is often a concern with lower-quality lenses.
Additional Features That Enhance the Underwater Photography Experience
The RX-100 Mark II introduces several features that elevate its capabilities and make it an even more powerful tool for underwater photographers and videographers. One of these is the inclusion of a hot shoe mount, which allows for the synchronization of external flashes. This addition opens up new possibilities for lighting, enabling the user to add more powerful or specialized lighting to enhance the depth and clarity of underwater shots.
Another notable feature is the tilting LCD screen. Underwater photographers often encounter situations where it is difficult to view the screen directly, especially when shooting from low or high angles. The tilting screen provides greater flexibility in composing shots from unique perspectives, making it easier to capture images in challenging positions.
The camera also supports NFC-enabled WiFi connectivity, which simplifies the process of transferring images and videos to smartphones, tablets, or other devices. This wireless capability allows for quick sharing of photos and videos with friends, family, or on social media, making it an excellent tool for photographers who wish to showcase their underwater adventures immediately.
A Powerful Tool for Underwater Enthusiasts and Professionals Alike
The Sony RX-100 Mark II is a versatile, compact, and powerful camera that is well-suited for the demanding needs of underwater photography. Its combination of advanced imaging technology, fast autofocus, high-quality lens system, and superior video recording capabilities makes it one of the top choices for both amateur and professional photographers who want to capture the beauty of the underwater world.
Whether you're capturing a once-in-a-lifetime moment with a rare marine species or creating breathtaking underwater videos, the RX-100 Mark II’s powerful features give you the tools to succeed. With exceptional image quality, stability, and versatility in both still and video modes, it offers everything you need to make the most of your underwater photography experience. For divers and marine enthusiasts, this camera system is a game-changer that enhances the potential of underwater exploration, enabling you to document the hidden wonders of the ocean like never before.
Innovative Control Systems and User Interface
Sony's RX-100 Mark II sets itself apart not only with its outstanding image quality and performance but also with its user-centric control systems and intuitive interface. The design of this camera strikes a perfect balance between ease of use for beginners and advanced functionality for seasoned photographers, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of users. The control layout of the RX-100 Mark II maintains a strong connection to the original RX-100, ensuring that photographers who are transitioning from the previous model will feel right at home. At the same time, new users can easily navigate the intuitive interface without feeling overwhelmed.
One of the most important features is the programmable function button, which elevates the camera’s usability to a new level. This button allows photographers to assign their most frequently used settings for instant access, streamlining the shooting process. Whether you're capturing underwater scenes, fast-moving wildlife, or delicate macro shots, this button enables you to adjust key settings on the fly without fumbling through menus. The button works in harmony with the user-customizable menu options, ensuring that your preferred settings are just a press away.
This customization aspect is crucial for underwater photography, where fast, intuitive adjustments are needed in constantly changing conditions. Being able to instantly switch between settings like ISO, white balance, and autofocus modes can make all the difference when you need to seize that perfect shot. In challenging lighting, where time is often of the essence, the RX-100 Mark II allows you to remain focused on composition and subject matter, rather than getting lost in complicated menus or controls.
White Magic LCD Technology for Enhanced Display Performance
The RX-100 Mark II is equipped with Sony's revolutionary White Magic LCD technology, a key feature that significantly enhances the user experience. Unlike traditional LCD screens that use three sub-pixels per pixel, the White Magic screen uses four sub-pixels, effectively doubling the brightness while consuming far less battery power. This advanced display technology makes it easier to review images and videos in bright environments, including underwater, where lighting can be erratic and challenging to manage.
For underwater photographers, this feature is particularly important. The LCD screen of the RX-100 Mark II ensures that images and video can be reviewed clearly even when surrounded by the high ambient light of the ocean’s surface or in shallow waters. Moreover, the increased brightness of the display improves visibility in conditions where traditional screens might become washed out, such as when shooting in bright sunlight or underwater at significant depths.
Another advantage of the White Magic technology is its energy efficiency. For photographers on extended underwater excursions or diving trips, preserving battery life is a crucial concern. The White Magic LCD provides all the benefits of a bright, clear display without the need for excessive battery consumption, allowing you to focus on your photography without worrying about running out of power.
Tilting Display Mechanism for Creative Flexibility
The tilting LCD screen is a standout feature that greatly enhances the flexibility of the RX-100 Mark II. Whether you're photographing wide-angle scenes or close-up macro subjects, the tilting screen allows you to compose shots from a variety of angles, even in tight or awkward positions. This is especially beneficial for underwater photography, where you may need to shoot at unconventional angles to capture elusive marine life or to achieve the desired composition.
In underwater macro photography, where precision is key, the ability to tilt the screen helps you frame your subject with greater ease and accuracy. For example, when photographing small creatures like seahorses, starfish, or shrimp, the RX-100 Mark II's tilting display ensures that you can get the perfect angle for sharp, detailed shots. This flexibility is invaluable when trying to focus on intricate details in challenging environments.
Additionally, the tilting screen provides a much-needed ergonomic advantage for underwater photographers, allowing them to shoot in both low and high positions without having to strain their neck or body. This reduces fatigue during extended shooting sessions and makes the process more comfortable, allowing photographers to concentrate on their work for longer periods.
Focus Peaking for Perfectly Sharp Focus
Achieving precise focus is a critical component of underwater photography, particularly in macro shots where the depth of field is shallow. The RX-100 Mark II includes an advanced focus peaking feature, a game-changer for those who rely on manual focus to achieve perfect shots. Focus peaking works by highlighting the areas of the frame that are in focus, making it easier to visually identify the sharpest parts of the image. This functionality is especially valuable when working with small, fast-moving subjects, or when shooting in low-light environments.
When photographing underwater creatures or delicate coral formations, where even slight focus errors can ruin the shot, focus peaking ensures that the most critical elements are sharp and in focus. The feature is available in various levels of intensity, allowing you to adjust it to your preference and the conditions you are shooting in. By visually emphasizing areas of sharpness, it reduces the guesswork often associated with manual focus, resulting in more confident and accurate shots.
For underwater photographers working with macro subjects, where focus accuracy is vital, this feature becomes indispensable. Focus peaking offers a real-time visual aid, enabling photographers to see exactly where their focus lies without needing to rely on the camera’s auto-focus system, which may struggle with tiny, close-up subjects.
User Customization for Personalized Shooting Experience
The RX-100 Mark II’s programmable function buttons and customizable menu options create a highly personalized shooting experience for each photographer. Sony has designed this camera to be adaptable to various photography styles, allowing you to tailor its controls to match your specific needs. Whether you’re shooting landscapes, underwater portraits, or action-packed marine life scenes, the camera can be configured to suit your shooting preferences.
The user interface provides a seamless workflow, allowing for quick adjustments while maintaining focus on the subject. For underwater photographers, where changing conditions can demand frequent adjustments, having customized access to frequently used settings is invaluable. Being able to switch between settings such as aperture, shutter speed, white balance, and focus modes quickly helps photographers remain in control of the creative process.
This level of customization also benefits those who use the camera in multiple photography genres. Whether you’re shooting wildlife, underwater portraits, or vibrant coral reefs, you can set up the RX-100 Mark II to automatically adjust to different scenarios, ensuring that you never miss a critical moment. The camera’s ability to switch between these preset modes means that it adapts as quickly as the environment changes, keeping you prepared for whatever comes next.
Streamlined Access to Key Features via the User Interface
Sony has streamlined the RX-100 Mark II’s interface to provide quick and easy access to a variety of settings, with an emphasis on speed and efficiency. The camera’s menu system is intuitively organized, with settings grouped in logical categories for straightforward navigation. This allows photographers to access key features like ISO, focus modes, and white balance with minimal effort.
One of the most user-friendly aspects of the interface is its clear and responsive touchscreen functionality. Whether you’re adjusting settings on the fly or selecting an autofocus point, the touchscreen offers quick, tactile feedback that enhances the user experience. This interface is especially useful for underwater photography, where quick adjustments are often needed to account for changing light, subject movement, and other environmental factors.
Moreover, the camera features customizable settings that let you optimize the user interface based on your shooting style. Whether you prefer to work with manual controls or automated settings, the RX-100 Mark II provides the tools to configure the camera to match your exact preferences, making it an ideal choice for those who require both flexibility and speed during underwater shoots.
Seamless Connectivity for Easy Sharing and Remote Control
In today’s digital age, sharing photographs and videos has never been easier, and the RX-100 Mark II offers seamless connectivity options to ensure that your underwater images can be shared with ease. The built-in Wi-Fi functionality, paired with NFC, allows you to transfer your images and videos to smartphones or tablets directly from the camera. This feature is invaluable for those who want to share their underwater adventures with friends, family, or social media platforms right away.
The Wi-Fi feature also supports remote control via the PlayMemories Mobile app, allowing you to control the camera remotely from your smartphone or tablet. This capability is especially useful when shooting in situations where it’s difficult to access the camera directly, such as underwater or when the camera is mounted on a tripod. By using your mobile device as a remote control, you can adjust settings, focus, and capture images without having to physically touch the camera.
In addition to photo and video transfer, the connectivity features ensure that the RX-100 Mark II integrates seamlessly into modern workflows, allowing photographers to quickly upload their work to online platforms or share them with colleagues and clients.
Nauticam's Engineering Excellence in Housing Design
Nauticam's housing for the original RX-100 achieved legendary status within the underwater photography community, becoming one of the best-selling underwater housings in the company's distinguished history. The success stemmed from Nauticam's ability to overcome the inherent challenges of creating a reliable housing for cameras with diminutive controls while maintaining professional-grade functionality.
The NA-RX100II housing builds upon this foundation of excellence, incorporating industry-leading features that have become synonymous with Nauticam's reputation for quality and reliability. The intuitive single rotating latch system provides secure closure while maintaining ease of use, even when wearing thick diving gloves in cold water conditions.
The rugged machined aluminum construction ensures exceptional durability and corrosion resistance, essential characteristics for equipment subjected to the harsh marine environment. The impressive 100-meter depth rating provides photographers with the confidence to explore deeper underwater realms without concern for equipment integrity.
The rear-mounted O-ring design represents a sophisticated sealing solution that provides superior water protection while simplifying maintenance procedures. The sculpted shutter release mechanism delivers precise control over half-press and full-press camera functions, enabling photographers to achieve perfect timing for action shots and ensure optimal autofocus performance.
Every control button on the housing features clear labeling and ergonomic positioning, designed by photographers who understand the practical requirements of underwater image creation. The housing capitalizes on every aspect of both camera and photographer potential, creating a harmonious system that enhances rather than inhibits the creative process.
The front and rear command dials remain easily accessible to forefinger and thumb while maintaining a secure grip on the housing, enabling seamless adjustment of critical settings without compromising stability. Manual aperture and shutter speed adjustments become effortless, as do modifications to white balance, ISO sensitivity, drive modes, shooting modes, and video recording parameters.
Advanced Connectivity and Synchronization Capabilities
The RX-100 Mark II introduces a revolutionary bulkhead port system that accommodates optional accessory installations, expanding the housing's versatility significantly. The new hot shoe functionality enables users to add Nikonos or Ikelite-style bulkheads for manual strobe firing using electrical synchronization cables, providing professional-level lighting control previously unavailable in this market segment.
This advancement eliminates the reliance on the camera's internal flash for strobe recycling, enabling truly instantaneous shot-to-shot performance that is crucial for capturing fast-moving underwater subjects. The electronic synchronization capability transforms the compact camera system into a tool capable of professional-level underwater photography.
Optical Performance and Lens Compatibility
The housing features a precisely positioned standard 67mm thread on the port, optimized for maximum wide-angle lens performance. This positioning represents careful engineering consideration to minimize distortion and maximize image quality when using supplementary optics.
The manual focus capability through the front command dial represents a unique feature in this market segment, particularly beneficial for macro photographers who require precise focus control. The combination of manual focus with focus peaking functionality enables photographers to achieve exceptional sharpness when using powerful close-up wet lenses such as +10 diopter attachments.
Nauticam's innovative 67mm Flip Lens Holder system revolutionizes macro photography workflows, making lens changes underwater more efficient and reliable than ever before. This system eliminates the frustration and potential image loss associated with traditional wet lens mounting systems.
Wide-angle accessory lens compatibility remains crucial for underwater photography success, and the RX-100 Mark II system delivers exceptional performance when paired with specialized underwater lenses. The Inon UWL-H100 28 M67 Type 2 represents the pinnacle of wide-angle underwater lens design, enabling the capture of images with an impressive 100-degree angle of view while maintaining sharp corner performance and eliminating vignetting completely.
The system achieves even greater wide-angle capabilities when combined with Inon's optional Dome Unit II, a remarkable 145-degree lens that focuses on the front element to enable exceptional close-focus wide-angle photography. This combination opens creative possibilities previously reserved for much larger and more expensive camera systems.
Professional Lighting Solutions and Accessories
The comprehensive accessory ecosystem surrounding the NA-RX100II housing provides photographers with professional-level lighting solutions and ergonomic enhancements. The complete range of optional accessories includes precision-engineered trays, comfortable handles, secure hand straps, and versatile mounting hardware for various lighting configurations.
Automatic flash exposure functionality through external strobes becomes possible using Nauticam's advanced fiber optic cable system, compatible with popular underwater strobes including the Inon S-2000 and Sea&Sea YS-D1. This TTL capability ensures consistent exposure results while maintaining the convenience of automatic flash metering.
The fiber optic connection system eliminates the need for bulky electrical connections while providing reliable communication between camera and strobes. This technology represents the perfect balance between simplicity and functionality, enabling photographers to concentrate on composition and timing rather than technical complexities.
Superior Build Quality and Material Excellence
Nauticam's commitment to excellence manifests in every aspect of housing construction, utilizing only the finest materials and cutting-edge manufacturing processes. The housing body undergoes precision machining from solid aircraft-grade aluminum, ensuring exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and dimensional accuracy.
The hard anodization process creates a surface that remains impervious to saltwater corrosion while providing an attractive and durable finish. This treatment ensures that the housing maintains its appearance and functionality even after extensive use in harsh marine environments.
The large acrylic LCD window incorporates advanced anti-reflective coating technology combined with scratch-resistant treatment, ensuring optimal visibility under various lighting conditions while maintaining long-term clarity. This attention to detail exemplifies Nauticam's understanding of the practical requirements of underwater photography.
Versatility Across Skill Levels
The NA-RX100II represents a remarkable achievement in democratizing high-quality underwater photography, offering a system sophisticated enough for professional applications while remaining accessible to photographers beginning their underwater imaging journey. The intuitive control layout and logical button arrangement minimize the learning curve typically associated with underwater camera systems.
The substantial sensor size and advanced imaging capabilities enable the creation of images that rival those produced by much larger and more expensive camera systems. This democratization of image quality empowers photographers to focus on developing their artistic vision rather than being limited by equipment capabilities.
For professionals, the system offers the image quality, reliability, and control necessary for commercial underwater photography applications. The compact size provides advantages in situations where larger systems would be impractical or prohibited, while the image quality remains suitable for professional publication requirements.
Technical Specifications and Performance Metrics
The housing's impressive 100-meter depth rating provides access to virtually all recreational diving environments and many technical diving applications. This depth capability exceeds the requirements of most underwater photographers while providing a significant safety margin for deeper explorations.
The housing weight of 0.75 kilograms strikes an optimal balance between durability and portability, ensuring comfortable handling during extended diving sessions while maintaining the structural integrity necessary for reliable operation. The compact dimensions of 143mm x 113mm x 102mm enable easy packing for travel while fitting comfortably in most diving equipment configurations.
Revolutionary Impact on Underwater Photography
The combination of Sony's RX-100 Mark II camera with Nauticam's precision-engineered housing represents a paradigm shift in underwater photography accessibility and capability. This system eliminates many traditional barriers to high-quality underwater imaging, including excessive weight, complexity, and cost, while delivering image quality that was previously achievable only with much larger systems.
The improved low-light performance of the Mark II sensor proves particularly beneficial for underwater applications where available light diminishes rapidly with depth. The enhanced sensitivity enables photographers to capture natural-light images at greater depths or use smaller apertures for increased depth of field without compromising image quality.
The integrated WiFi connectivity transforms the underwater photography workflow, enabling immediate sharing of captures with dive buddies, clients, or social media audiences. This connectivity represents a significant advancement in the social aspect of underwater photography, fostering greater engagement and appreciation for marine environments.
Environmental Considerations and Conservation Impact
The accessibility of high-quality underwater photography equipment like the NA-RX100II system contributes significantly to marine conservation efforts by enabling more people to document and share the beauty of underwater environments. The resulting images serve as powerful tools for environmental education and advocacy.
The compact size and reduced environmental impact of the system compared to larger alternatives align with sustainable diving practices. The ability to capture compelling images without disturbing marine life through excessive equipment or lighting enables responsible underwater photography that prioritizes environmental protection.
Conclusion
The Nauticam NA-RX100II housing represents the culmination of decades of underwater housing development experience, combining innovative engineering with practical functionality to create a system that truly democratizes high-quality underwater photography. The seamless integration with Sony's exceptional RX-100 Mark II camera creates a powerful tool that serves photographers across all skill levels and applications.
The system's ability to deliver professional-quality results in a compact, user-friendly package represents a significant advancement in underwater photography accessibility. Whether serving as an introduction to underwater imaging for beginners or providing a compact alternative for professionals, the NA-RX100II system delivers exceptional value and performance.
The comprehensive accessory ecosystem, superior build quality, and innovative features ensure that this system will remain relevant and capable for years to come. The investment in this system represents not just the acquisition of camera equipment, but the gateway to a lifetime of underwater exploration and creative expression.